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Bochy: No talks of position switch for Posey

8/21/14: Buster Posey hits his 14th dinger of the season, a solo shot that puts the Giants on top in the 5th

By Chris Haft and Teddy Cahill
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MLB.com |

WASHINGTON -- If it's late in the season, it's time for manager Bruce Bochy to discuss Buster Posey's future as a catcher.

For now, asking Posey to switch positions to preserve his offensive prowess isn't on the Giants' agenda. But various factors could prompt a change in circumstances. Among them:

• The differences in Posey's production. He has been more prolific this year as a first baseman, batting .385 with a .961 OPS, compared with .265 and .749 as a catcher. However, he has compiled his numbers at first base amid a relatively small sample size -- 22 starts, compared to 88 behind the plate.

• Strengthening the lineup overall. Andrew Susac has impressed the organization since his promotion from Triple-A Fresno. And if Hector Sanchez ever shakes his concussion issues, he possesses tremendous potential value as a 24-year-old switch-hitting catcher.

• Posey's health. The stiff right hip that forced him to rest Wednesday in Chicago is nothing new. And as a catcher, the 27-year-old is subject to much more physical erosion than other position players.

Bochy said that he likes having Susac and, when healthy, Sanchez available to spell Posey and "lighten the load" on him. But Bochy insisted that this hasn't fed whatever urge the Giants might have to move Posey to first base. Because if Posey ever does change positions, first base will be his new home.

"If sometime down the road he'll get out from behind the plate, I can't answer that," Bochy said. "Right now, it's not [being] discussed. But I will say that it's nice to have options."